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Controlled Trial Finds No Metabolic Gain From Intermittent Fasting Without Cutting Calories

Researchers say benefits seen in earlier studies likely stem from eating fewer calories.

Overview

  • A randomized, nearly isocaloric trial assigned 31 women with overweight or obesity to two two-week eating windows: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. or 1 p.m.–9 p.m.
  • With calories and nutrients held nearly constant, investigators found no short-term changes in insulin sensitivity, glucose, blood lipids, blood pressure, or inflammation markers.
  • Later eating shifted internal circadian timing by roughly 40 minutes and was linked to later bedtimes and wake-times.
  • Participants lost a small amount of weight despite the isocaloric design, suggesting unintended intake changes may occur.
  • Published in Science Translational Medicine by the German Institute of Human Nutrition and collaborators, the work sets up future tests of time-restricted eating under calorie-restricted conditions and in longer, more diverse cohorts.